Which amendment formally ended slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment formally ended slavery in the United States by prohibiting involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment marked a significant legal and social transition in the nation, following the Civil War and reflecting a commitment to improving the rights of African Americans and abolishing the institution of slavery. The text of the amendment clearly states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This foundational legal change established the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advancements, making it a pivotal moment in American history.

In contrast, the 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, the 15th Amendment focuses on prohibiting voting discrimination based on race, and the 12th Amendment modified the electoral process for selecting the president and vice president. Each of these subsequent amendments plays an important role in the evolution of civil rights in the U.S., but only the 13th Amendment directly ended slavery.